Northern Peninsula getting hit with high winds, snow-covered roads

The Flowers Cove and St. Anthony detachments are reporting high winds, snow-covered roads, heavy drifting, and extremely poor visibility — whiteout conditions in spots between Eddies Cove East and St. Anthony.

Environment Canada has issued a blowing snow advisory for the area, and says total snowfall of 10 to 20 centimetres is expected by Friday morning, although snow is forecast to taper off this afternoon and overnight.

Wind gusts are expected between 70 and 90 km/h, and possibly higher in exposed areas.

Heavy, wet snow for Avalon

Earlier, people on the Avalon Peninsula were shovelling out after 10-15 centimetres fell on the region over a four-hour period overnight.

An intense but brief low-pressure system moved through the Avalon after midnight, according to Wanda Batten of the Gander Weather Office. She said St. John's International Airport reported 15 centimetres had fallen by 4:30 a.m.

The snow turned to rain after 4:30 a.m., with temperatures rising to 3 C by noon, making for heavy, wet snow for people to contend with during the morning commute.

The snow caused dozens of school closures and delays in eastern Newfoundland, but schools in the St. John's metro region were open for morning classes. Many, but not all, schools reopened for the afternoon, with some closed anyway for afternoon parent-teacher interviews.

The Avalon is expected seeing some sunny breaks with a chance of showers as the day continues.

Blowing snow to come

However, for those in eastern Newfoundland hoping the snow was the last dump of the year, Batten said flurries are expected to develop tonight

The flurries will combine with lower temperatures and winds of 40-70 km/h to create blowing snow conditions Thursday night.

"What that means is you're going to get some blowing snow, especially in those open exposed areas," Batten said. "That's what you will seeing in the overnight hours."

Elsewhere on the island — including on the Burin Peninsula — Batten said people can also expect blowing snow later on Thursday and into Friday.

Areas outside the Avalon are still sitting below zero, so she said snow will continue to fall gradually in those areas throughout the day, and could total 5-10 centimetres by midnight.